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Frequently Asked Questions

Approximately 17,000 cubic yards of cast-in-place concrete, which is a ready-mix concrete placed into removable forms erected on site, and 10,000 cubic yards of pre-cast concrete

What kind of wood is used throughout the museum?

Doors: TeakDeck: Brazilian green heartFloors: Oak Elevators: Oak

Who designed the hanging gardens?

Patrick Blanc, the creator of the Vertical Garden and of the Hanging Vegetation, in cooperation with Herzog & de Meuron

How long did it take to install the hanging gardens?

2.5 months

How many gardens are there at PAMM?

67

What will happen to the gardens if there is a hurricane?

The hanging gardens were designed to withstand hurricane-force winds up to category 5.

How many plants and plant species grow in the hanging gardens?

54,700 plants and 77 plant species

What are the tubes made of?

The 18” diameter tubes are made out of fiberglass, membrane and felt and are up top 45’ long.

How do you water the hanging gardens?

Rainwater is collected and then spread through the irrigation tubes and back up the garden. After the garden is watered, the left over water is drained into a planter.

How did Patrick Blanc decide which plants to place, and where?

Hanging garden “mock-ups” were created and placed in Museum Park long before construction of the new PAMM began. This allowed Patrick Blanc and landscape architects to test which plants could withstand the sun, salt and other elements in the environment. Blanc created diagrams to plan where each plant species would be placed, and continues to visit the museum to assess the growth and modify the design as necessary.

Why is the concrete cracking?

The cracks are normal for the type of concrete slabs we have in the building. All concrete cracks, especially floor slabs. Some designs incorporate control joints in the slab in order to relieve the surface tension in the concrete and try to minimize the cracking. Even with control joint the concrete will crack, but it is reduced. The architect of PAMM did not want control joints and opted to allow the concrete to crack naturally because control joints would disrupt the clean lines of the architecture, and the cracks added to the organic feel of the design.

Why can’t I take photos in some galleries?

In general, we want you to take photos and share your experience with friends and family. (#pamm!) However, photography is not permitted in some galleries due to copyright restrictions specified by the copyright owner. Although the works are on view in the museum, we do not necessarily own the rights. In many cases, the copyright owner (usually artists, their foundations or estates) will allow us to show a particular work or exhibition on the condition that we do not allow photography. This measure is taken to protect the artist, as people have unlawfully photographed, reproduced, and attempted to sell another artist’s work.

Why is it so cold in the museum?

The temperature and humidity need to be at a specific level to protect and conserve the art works. In an effort to maintain this safe level and make the temperature more comfortable for visitors, we have installed hygrothermalgraphs to monitor the temperature and humidity at different points throughout the museum.

What are the ticking boxes in the galleries for?

The ticking boxes are called hygrothermalgraphs and they monitor the temperature and humidity at different points throughout the museum.

Who made the furniture?

Herzog and de Meuron, the architects who designed PAMM, also designed the seating areas you see in the lobby, auditorium and visitors gallery.

Who is Jorge Pérez?

Jorge Pérez is an art collector who lives in Miami. Born in Argentina to Cuban parents, Pérez grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, where his family moved after losing everything to Castro. When he moved to Miami, he enrolled in Miami Dade College before getting a bachelor’s degree at C.W. Post College, and then a master’s degree in urban planning at the University of Michigan. He has a great passion for art, culture, architecture and urban planning. In addition to being an art collector and a passionate supporter of the visual arts, Pérez has been deeply involved in supporting the continued growth of the city of Miami. He ultimately moved back to Miami and is now the owner of a very successful development company called the Related Group. He has been a museum trustee since 1996, and when the museum announced plans for this new facility, he immediately saw the project as another important step in Miami's civic development, and was among the first to pledge his financial support. He contributed more than 40 million in cash and art. Given both the scale of his commitment, and longevity of his leadership, the museum was named the Jorge M. Pérez Art Museum of Miami Dade County, in his honor.

Is the art for sale?

Museums do not sell art. Art museums are public trusts that develop collections of works of art for the benefit of present and future generations. They serve the community as a place of education and enjoyment of art and contribute to the appreciation of human creativity. The conservation, exhibition for the public, study and documentation of the collection are the heart of a museum’s mission and public service.

What is the difference between modern art and contemporary art?

In art, “modern” refers to the time period from the 1860s to the 1970s. "Contemporary" is the correct term to use when describing new artworks, produced by artists living in the 21st century and reflecting on contemporary society and the issues relevant to ourselves and the world around us.

Who designed the Knight Plaza?

James Corner Field Operations, the designer of the Highline in New York